Feature: Dabs Myla In Conversation with Dvate

Dabs Myla's big 'Marvelous Expeditions' show is coming up on Sat, Sept. 1st at Thinkspace. The duo have put together a fun lil' set of questions combining some of the favorite questions they've been asked over the past few years as well as a few show specific travel related questions to spice things up. Today, they speak with Dvate.

This special exhibit will feature over 20 new works from Dabs Myla, a huge installation with a very special guest artist helping out (details to follow) and a group show they have curated featuring 32 of their friends all creating works on 16x20 cradled wood panels provided by the duo and built by Craola's dad George Simkins.

Thinkspace is pleased to present the highly anticipated 'Marvelous Expeditions' by Dabs Myla and Friends. In the spirit of travel and all things wonderfully itinerant, acclaimed duo Dabs Myla will take over the gallery space and will feature new work and an installation alongside curated selections from 30 of their closest and most inspiring artist friends. The gallery will in effect become a locus of meeting and communal exchange, as artists from all over the world are brought together by Dabs Myla to share their experiences of traveling through its landscapes.

'Marvelous Expeditions' showcases the duo’s love of friends, collegiality, exchange, and the proliferation of vision and variety that thrives alongside constant movement and displacement. These are the exploratory impulses of travel that lead to constant revisions, reconstitutions, influences, and to the indelible encounters that change everything.

Jimmy 'Dvate' Beattie is a Melbourne based artist and graphic designer who’s prevelance in the scene is well regognised and can be seen on walls, canvas and in magazines both locally and internationally. Growing up in Melbourne a stones throw from the Frankston train line he was instantly drawn to the colourfull work and in 1996 began experimenting at leaving his own mark on society. In 2004 he graduated from Monash Uni with a degree in Visual Communicaton, this nurtured his love of letters and composition and he continued to produce graffiti inspired design. He then spent the next few years working in the screen and offset printing industrys, optaining key techniques and skills still used today.

After the success of his first solo show in 2006 he moved to live in London, traveling around europe. While there he painted numerous murals and commisioned work for Adidas, Footlocker and Disney. Dvate co-ran ‘Per Square Metre’ Gallery in Collingwood from 2007-2010. This much loved space held well over 100 quality exhibitions in under four years, and gave numerous artists the chance to show their work, many for the first time. Dvate travelled around the USA in 2008 as part of the ‘10,320 miles from Collingwood’ tour, with sucsessful exhibitions in LA, St Louis, Philidelphia and New Jersey. In 2002 he started the company ‘Graffix Creative’, specalising in custom murals and design. The buisiness has gone from strength to strenghth and now regonised as one of the leading mural buisness in Australia. They also offering a Graffiti Management service specalising in body corporate and governmental work.

Last year he once again travelled to USA, painting and working in LA, San Francisco and New Orleans. He also took part in the world renowned 'Art Basel' festival in Miami.

Last time you traveled? To where?

My last trip was to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. I won a competition and that was part of the prize. Also got to paint a nice wall up there. The last International trip was to the States last year. Got married in Vegas, hit up Art Basel in Miami and some amazing times in LA, San Francisco and New Orleans.

Always the window seat - I like to watch! I seem to eat a lot of chicken, but I do like a good bit of fish.

What is your favorite road trip song / artist or album?

Always changes but at the moment am feeling my boy - DJ Jumps new album, world music. Chilled out beats with some catchy bass lines. Lots of drums and rhythm, and just the right amount of vocal samples.

What fuels you to keep creating?

Trying to keep up with Dabs n Myla! I guess I've never really had a problem being motivated to paint - its just harder to find the time these days.

Please describe your dream project if time and money were not issues.

Being offered an artist residence on a beautiful tropical island that is covered with abandoned buildings that need to be painted. Endless paint and a budget to fly in mates and other artists to collaborate with.

Do you have a favorite item from your studio that you always make sure you take on a trip? For example...reference book, lucky balaclava, favorite brush etc..

My iPod would be no. 1 - gotta have my music.

Least favorite part of making art? And your favorite part...

Least favorite is when it feels like work and not fun, I try to avoid this as much as possible. Favorite part is everything else, the whole life-style is amazing. Traveling, Meeting like minded people, Collaborating on projects, Achieving goals.

If you could collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be?